Back Injuries

Back Injuries

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), back injuries are the most prevalent workplace safety problem, accounting for more than one million injuries every year.

Injuries to the back can occur in a wide number of situations, such as a motor vehicle accident, a workplace incident, or slipping and falling. In certain situations, even a small amount of trauma to the back can lead to paralysis, nerve damage, chronic pain, and other painful symptoms. A victim could potentially face years of medical problems.

Depending on the extent of the damage, the victim of a back injury and their families could encounter crippling financial burdens as a result. In addition to immediate costs like hospital bills, those facing severe injuries may need long-term care and specialized equipment. For example, paralysis could require numerous surgeries, years of rehabilitation, wheelchairs, and other equipment for daily needs, in addition to lost opportunities to work.

Damage to the back can include:

Both long term and short-term damage can lead to prolonged back injuries. While a car accident or fall from a height can cause immediate, concentrated trauma, decades of muscle strain can turn into chronic pain and lifelong complications. To prevent injuries like these, workers can take certain precautions, including receiving training on safe lifting techniques. Safety equipment such as harnesses can reduce the risks of injuries on the job, and emergency training can help all individuals know how to react in the case of a back injury. Correct treatment after an injury can also make a huge difference, as jarring a victim after trauma to the spinal cord can increase nerve damage and the risk of paralysis.

Seek Compensation for your Back Injury with an Experienced Attorney

If you or a loved one has sustained a back injury as a result of another party’s negligence, you may have grounds to seek compensation. Whether a company failed to provide a safe working environment, a drunk driver caused a car accident, or another situation placed you in harm’s way, you should not have to shoulder the financial burdens of another’s actions. The accident attorneys of The Gutierrez Law Firm stand ready to confidently guide you. With years of experience in a range of serious injuries and situations, we have the knowledge to advise you on the best way to proceed.